Governor Andrews signed commission for 1st Lt. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, First Massachusetts Cavalry

Governor Andrews signed commission for 1st Lt. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, First Massachusetts Cavalry.  A nicely framed and matted commission dated December 19, 1861.  Also signed by the Secretary to the Commonwealth, Oliver Warner.

Benjamin W. Crowninshield, (1837- 92), Graduated from Harvard in 1858, and at the outset of the Civil War enlisted into the 1st Mass. Cavalry. He rose to the rank of captain in 1862, and major in 1864.  Crowninshield  was Aide de Camp to General Philip H. Sheridan until his mustering out of service in November of 1864.  While on Provost Marshal duty at the time of the Battle of Brandy Station, he was reacquainted with an old Harvard chum William H. Fitzhugh Lee, then a Confederate Cavalry general. The unfortunate meeting was embarrassing for both, and even attempts by Crowninshield to bestow favors upon his friend, were never rejected by Lee.

Crowninshield was the author of The First Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry Volunteers, published in 1891.

A bold signature for Governor John Andrew below the embossed Mass State seal. Andrew was the Mass war governor throughout the Civil War.

The image of Crowninshield is a downloaded copy.

Fine condition.